Method and apparatus for detecting free fall

ABSTRACT

A data processing system including a data storage device having data stored on a data storage medium. Within said data processing system, a system electronics is operatively coupled to a sensor and to said data storage device. When the sensor senses a change in gravitational or inertial acceleration of said data processing system, it alerts system electronics to temporarily park a read/write head in a safe position.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to data storage devices, such as hard discdrive assemblies and data processing systems, generally. In particular,the invention relates to data storage devices that are subject to freefall or other changes in acceleration, for example, storage devices usedin portable computers, cameras, onboard vehicular computers, and similarelectronic devices. ‘Free fall’ produces a change in the force, i.e.acceleration, of gravity as perceived in the frame of reference in whichthe data storage device is at rest.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Portable electronics devices such as digital and film cameras,notebook computers, and onboard vehicular computers containing datastorage devices such as hard disk drives are often dropped, bumped, orbounced. When an object is dropped or falls back to earth after abounce, the object experiences free fall, a period of minimal or zerogravitational force. ‘Free fall’ produces a change in the force, i.e.acceleration, of gravity as perceived in the frame of reference in whichthe data storage device is at rest. On earth, free fall usuallyimmediately precedes an impact with a surface that may damage operatingor unparked data storage devices, their spinning disks, actuators, andread/write heads. A parked data storage device is one in which theactuator has temporarily moved the head away from the spinning disk, andthe actuator and head are safely locked in a fixed position inpreparation for transportation or an anticipated impact. Because a datastorage device can be safely prepared for an impact in a time shorterthan the time it takes the data storage device to complete its fall, thepresent invention has great utility in preventing or mitigating thedamage formerly experienced by data storage devices that were droppeddown stairs, dropped onto concrete, asphalt or other hard surfaces, orthat were bounced into the air from vehicles contacting speed bumps,waves, or turbulent air pockets at high speeds and slammed back downagain.

[0003] In simplest form, a data storage device, such as a disc drive,consists of a spinning disk and an actuator movably positioned near thesurface of the disk. The surface of the disk typically contains multipleannular tracks or grooves in which data is stored and manipulated andfrom which data is retrieved by a read/write head (e.g. a magnetic or anoptical head) positioned on the actuator.

[0004] It is important that the data storage head be kept as free fromvibrations and/or sudden acceleration or deceleration as possiblebecause the head reads data from and writes data to the multiple annulartracks on the spinning disk. Sudden acceleration or deceleration orexcessive vibration of the disk drive can cause the head to skip tracks,to encode information incorrectly on the wrong track or tracks, to erasedata previously encoded on the disk, or to dent the disk surface.Several types of sensors have been developed to mitigate or to preventexcessive vibration from harming recorded data, but no sensors measuringchanges in the force, i.e. acceleration, of gravity in the frame of thedata storage device, existed prior to conception and development of thisinvention.

[0005] One type of vibration detection and protection system found inthe field of data storage devices is known as the off track signal orOTS. Generated by an electrical component of a data processing system,such as a magnetic hard disk, or CD, or DVD drive, the OTS is derivedfrom the signals generated by the magnetic hard disk or CD head as itfollows data tracks on the disk. The amplitude of the OTS is designed tovary in direct proportion to the amount of vibration experienced by thedata processing system. Thus, the more vibration experienced by the dataprocessing system, the more the amplitude of the OTS increases. Thesystem electronics of the data storage device monitors the amplitude ofthe OTS and temporarily disables the ability of the head to write and/orread information to or from the data storage device whenever the OTSamplitude matches or exceeds a predetermined amplitude.

[0006] Although the OTS system protects data stored on the data storagedevice from being erased or overwritten by the head, it does not preventdamage resulting from the head popping up and down onto the spinningdisk when the data storage device is dropped and impacts a surface. Forexample, if the head slams downward onto a spinning data medium device,such as a CD or DVD or magnetic hard disk, data may be irretrievablylost, the head may be severely damaged, and the CD, DVD, or magnetichard disk may be irreparably dented.

[0007] A second kind of sensor is found in the unrelated automobilefield. Sensors in this field are used to deploy various safety devices,such as airbags, whenever an accident occurs. Such sensors passivelywait for an impact to occur and then rapidly deploy safety devicesbefore a human's body impacts hard, bone-crushing surfaces within theautomobile's interior cabin such as dashboards, windshields, andsteering wheels. They cannot predict the possibility of an imminentimpact, nor can they detect the absence of a gravitational field as someembodiments of the present invention can. Moreover, sensors found in theautomobile field have not been used to protect data in data processingsystems such as hard disk drives.

[0008] A third type of vibration countermeasure found in the field ofconsumer portable electronic devices is specifically designed to combatthe “skips” commonly associated with audio playback of CD-ROMS andDVD's. “Skips” are miniature, but discernable, periods of silence inmusic or other audio broadcast material that occur whenever a musicalplayback device is jostled, vibrated, or dropped. This countermeasure istypically called a “buffering system.” In simplest form, a bufferingsystem incorporated within a musical playback device reads audio datafrom the spinning disk during playback of the disk at a rate slightlyfaster than the rate at which the audio data is broadcast. By reading“ahead” of the broadcast, a portion of the audio data is continuallysaved up and stored in the buffer. Whenever a “skip” occurs, thebuffering system ensures a smooth, unbroken audio playback by fillingthe “skip” with audio data from the buffer. Unlike, the presentinvention, however, the buffering system does not protect the datastorage device or its data actuating head from damage caused by droppingor vibrating the device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, asillustratively described herein, a data processing system is provided.Within the data processing system, system electronics is operativelycoupled to a hard disk drive assembly and to an acceleration sensor,which can sense gravitational acceleration. The system electronicsmonitors the acceleration sensor to determine whether the sensor'sswitch is open or closed. If an open switch indicating a free fall isdetected, the system electronics protects the data read/write head anddata storage medium by temporarily parking the head in a safe positionwhere it cannot impact the data storage medium surface. A safe positioncan include a parked position off to one side of a data storage mediumor a secured operating position that prevents vibration from damagingthe read/write head or the data storage medium. According to one aspectof the present invention, the term secured includes fixed, semi-fixed,and movable operating positions.

[0010] According to an alternate aspect of the present invention, asensor is provided that can detect changes in gravitational and/orinertial acceleration. In an exemplary embodiment, the sensor includesan electrically conductive tube having two ends. A supporting materialmay close one end of the tube. The other end may be open or closed.Within the interior of the tube, one end of a flexible beam or wire isinserted into the supporting material. Gravity flexes the opposite endof the beam or wire into contact with the tubular case, creating aclosed electrical circuit. Whenever the force of gravity lessens, thesecond end of the beam or wire breaks contact with the tube, creating anopen switch.

[0011] According to another aspect of the present invention, a sensor isprovided that can detect changes in gravitational and/or inertialacceleration. Illustratively, this sensor includes a closed cylinder.Within the interior of the cylinder, a centrally positioned,electrically conductive beam juts upward from the cylinder's base. Acircle of insulating material surrounds the base of the beam and createsa gap between the beam and the cylinder's oblique, conical interiorwalls. The beam and cylinder walls are electrically conductive. Gravityholds an electrically conductive sphere in contact with both the beamand a oblique surface, creating a closed circuit. Any lessening of thegravitational force causes the sphere to break contact with either orboth of the beam and interior walls, creating an open circuit.

[0012] Various examples for practicing the invention, other advantages,and novel features thereof will be apparent from the following detaileddescription of various illustrative preferred embodiments of theinvention, reference being made to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] The present invention is illustrated by way of example and notlimitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which likereferences indicate similar elements.

[0014]FIG. 1 is an exemplary view of a data processing system in freefall. As shown, the data processing system contains a hard discoperatively coupled to a read/write head. An embodiment of the presentinvention has sensed free fall and safely parked the actuator andmagnetic head prior to impact.

[0015]FIG. 2 is a schematic illustrating how system electronics within adata processing system can monitor an embodiment of the presentinvention and command a data storage device, such as a hard disc drive,to park an actuator and magnetic head when a state of free fall isdetected.

[0016]FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention in the at rest state according to one aspect of the presentinvention.

[0017]FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention in a state of free fall according to an aspect of the presentinvention.

[0018]FIG. 5 illustrates a data storage device; such as a hard discdrive, and its associated actuator and magnetic head in operation.Dotted lines indicate the parked position of the actuator and head.

[0019]FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention in the at rest state according to another aspect of theinvention

[0020]FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention in a state of free fall according to another aspect of theinvention.

[0021]FIG. 8A is a side view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention in the at rest state according to another aspect ofthe present invention.

[0022]FIG. 8B is a side view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention in a state of free fall according to another aspect ofthe present invention.

[0023]FIG. 8C is an overhead view illustrating an exemplary embodimentof the present invention in the at rest state according to anotheraspect of the present invention.

[0024]FIG. 8D is an bottom view illustrating an exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] The acceleration sensor shown illustratively in the accompanyingdrawings is particularly suited to be of relatively small size for usein data processing systems used in notebook computer systems, digitalcameras, music recording and playback devices, automobiles, marinevessels, aircraft, spacecraft, and similar equipment. Additionally, theembodiments of the present invention may be especially suited for use ina variety of additional applications not having data storage devicescoupled to actuators and heads where it is desired to sense accelerationor detect a state of free fall. For example, this invention could beused to trigger inflation of a cushion to soften the impact for adropped camera.

[0026]FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a hard drive system. Typically,a data storage device 103, such as a hard disc drive system, isinstalled within a main housing of a computer 100, such as the notebookcomputer illustratively shown. However, it is understood that theinvention is not limited to computers such as the one illustrativelyshown in FIG. 1. Rather, the invention applies to and may complement anydata storage device 103 wherever such device is located. For example,and for purposes of illustration only and not limitation, a data storagedevice 103, such as a hard disc drive, may be located within a camera orother portable consumer electronic device, within an onboard vehicularcomputer, an elevator, an amusement park ride, etc. Moreover, in otherembodiments, the data storage device may store analog data instead ofdigital data and the data storage device may use optical mechanisms toread and/or write the data.

[0027] A data storage device 103, such as a hard disc drive, contains adata storage medium 102 such as a hard disc and an actuator 104 having amagnetic read/write head 106. Read/write head 106 reads and writes datato tracks 108 on spinning data storage medium 102, such as a hard disc.Acceleration sensor 110 and system electronics 112 are electricallycoupled to the hard disc drive 103 such that when acceleration sensor110 detects a state of free fall in which there is substantially zeroperceived gravitational acceleration, system electronics 112 commandsthe disc drive 103 to put the actuator 104 and magnetic (or optical)head 106 in a parked position before the fall is completed.Alternatively, sensor 110 can be used to detect changes innon-gravitational (inertial) acceleration, an acceleration orde-acceleration of the sensor's reference frame caused objects such asautomobile or aircraft engines or vehicular brakes.

[0028] Preferably, acceleration sensor 110 is located near or at thecenter of mass of the object prone to free fall so that sensing of thefree fall state will be independent of any rotation and centrifugalforces present during the fall. However, the invention includes allpositions of acceleration sensor 110 and all locations for systemelectronics 112 that perform the monitoring and command functionsdescribed above. Illustratively, acceleration sensor 110 may bepositioned as an integral component of data storage device 103 itself,or may be positioned as a non-integral component of data storage device103 elsewhere within a data processing system.

[0029] In a preferred embodiment, acceleration sensor 110 is integratedwith a data processing system containing a hard drive disk assembly 103.In a preferred embodiment, sensor 110 is incorporated within system bysoldering leads 120 and 122 to pads on a substrate 124, for example, aprinted circuit board.

[0030]FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation illustrating how systemelectronics 112 monitors acceleration sensor 110 and commands datastorage device 103, such as a hard disc drive to park actuator 104 andmagnetic head 106 in a safe position when a free fall is indicated orthe gravitational force otherwise approaches zero.

[0031] Acceleration sensor 110 is a simple electronic switch thatremains closed when system 100 is at rest, and opens when system 100begins to free fall. System electronics 112 continuously or periodicallymonitors acceleration sensor 110 to detect whether the switch is closedor open. Immediately upon detecting an open switch, system electronics112 transmits a command to data storage device 103. Upon receiving thiscommand, data storage device 103 immediately parks actuator 104 andmagnetic head 106 in a safe position 126, as shown in FIG. 5. Safeposition can be either a location to the side of data storage medium102, as illustrated in FIG. 5, or a locked operating position thatprevents head 106 from writing to the wrong track 108 and that preventshead 106 from vibrating against data storage medium 102. For example, inan optical drive, a safe position 126 could be a location where theobjective lens is pinned against its upper stop.

[0032]FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional side view of a preferred embodimentof acceleration sensor 110. Sensor 110 includes a casing connection 116and a beam connection 118. Casing connection 116 is connected to a firstlead 120, and beam connection 118 is connected to a second lead 122.FIG. 3 shows sensor 110 in an at rest position. In this position,gravity pulls electrically conductive mass 128, attached to one end ofelectrically conductive beam 130, into contact with electricallyconductive casing 132. Preferably, one end of beam 130 is supported byinsulating support material 138, which may be flexible or rigid. In theillustrated embodiment, insulating support material 138 is rigid.

[0033] Beam 130 may have any aspect ratio, meaning that beam 130 canhave any cross-sectional shape. As exemplified in FIG. 3, beam 130 isflexible and electrically conductive. Preferably, the flexural constantof beam 130 is such that mass 128 contacts casing 132 when acted on by agravitational force. Specifically, the flexural characteristics of thebeam should be chosen so that two conditions are met:

[0034] 1. The at rest gravitational force bends the beam, orbeam/flexible mount combination, so that the beam or beam/mass makeselectrical contact with the casing.

[0035] 2. The lack of gravitational force during free fall allows thebeam or flexible mount to straighten and break the electrical contactbetween the beam or beam/mass and the casing.

[0036] In a preferred embodiment, insulating support material 138 is arigid material such as glass, but other insulating materials such asplastic, epoxy, ceramic, etc. may also be used.

[0037] In an exemplary embodiment, free end of the beam 130 may beweighted with a mass 128 to increase gravitational deflection and flexbeam 130 such that the mass 128 contacts the electrically conductivecasing 132. However, the invention can operate without mass 128. Forexample, in an illustrative embodiment, the shape of the beam 130, itsdimensions, and the material comprising the beam 130 can be chosen suchthat the weight of the cantilevered portion of beam 130 itself flexesthe free end of beam 130 into contact with a electrically conductivecasing 132.

[0038] If a mass is attached to the free end of beam 130, the mass 128may take almost any size and shape since the size and shape of the mass128 are not essential to the operation of the invention. It makes nodifference whether the shape of the mass 128 is circular, squarish,polygonal, or triangular, as long as the mass is made of or carries anelectrically conductive material and contacts electrically conductivecasing 132 when the data storage device 103 is at rest. The preferableshape of the mass 128, as illustratively shown in the Figures isspherical.

[0039] According to one aspect of the present invention, the beam 130and mass 128 are made of conductive materials or carry conductive means.Thus, electrical contact is made whenever either the free end of beam130 or mass 128 touches casing 132. In this manner, the invention actsas an electrical switch, closed when at rest and open when in free fall.Beam 130 and mass 128 may be formed as one piece of electricallyconductive material, or from separate pieces joined together by anysuitable method, including, but not limited to, screwing, gluing,soldering, etc.

[0040] It should be noted that the dimensions of the components ofacceleration sensor 110 are scalable, meaning of course, that oneskilled in the art can determine the mechanical coefficients ofnon-electrically conductive insulating material 138 and beam 130 easilyand without undue experimentation. Accordingly, one skilled in the artcould readily manufacture acceleration sensor 110 illustrated in FIGS.1-3 in any one of a number of possible sizes. In a preferred embodiment,however, acceleration sensor 110 is approximately 4-6 mm long, 2-3 mmwide and 2-3 mm high. These preferred dimensions, however, are givenonly for purposes of illustration, and are not meant to limit the sizeof acceleration sensor 110 in any fashion. Rather the invention includesall sizes of acceleration sensor 110.

[0041] Preferably, as illustratively shown in FIG. 3, the sensor 110described above is enclosed by a tubular casing 132 formed of anelectrically conductive material. In an exemplary embodiment, insulatingsupport material 138 completely fills one end of the tubular casing,while the second end is also closed. The interior of casing 132 may befilled with a gas of the type well known in the art for sealing theinteriors of electronic components to prevent corrosion of electricalcontacts. However, it is not necessary to close the second end of thecasing, nor is it necessary that the casing be tubular. Rather, thesecond end of the casing may be left open, and the casing may takealmost any structural form, including, but not limited to tubes,circles, squares, triangles, polygons, etc. In a preferred embodiment,one end of casing 132 is connected to the first electrically conductivelead 122, while the beam connection 118 is connected to a secondelectrically conductive lead 120.

[0042] In an alternative embodiment, the present invention may be madeand operated without a tubular casing 132. For example, fixed end ofbeam 130 could be supported by insulating support member 138 andoperatively connected via beam connection 118 to electrically conductivelead 120, such that the free end of beam 130 or mass 128 was positionedto make physical contact with an electrically conductive pad when thedata storage device 103 is at rest.

[0043]FIG. 4 shows acceleration sensor 110 in a free fall position. Inthe absence of a gravitational force (e.g. during free fall), physicalcontact with the casing 132 is broken as the beam 130 straightens to anapproximately horizontal position shown in FIG. 4. Thus, sensor 110functions as a switch, closed when at rest, open when in free fall.Breaking physical contact with casing 132 immediately alerts systemelectronics 112 (shown in FIG. 1) to command data storage device 103,such as a hard disc drive (FIG. 1) to park actuator 104 (FIG. 1)containing magnetic read/write head 106 (FIG. 1) in a safe position 126(shown in FIG. 5). Alternatively, the same method may be used withanother embodiment of the present invention in which mass 128 makeselectrical contact with casing 132. In such an embodiment, the switchwould be open in the at rest position and closed during free fall. Fromrest, an object within the Earth's gravitational field free falls 0.5meters in 0.32 seconds. The time required to process a command and parkthe head in a disc drive is typically less than 0.04 seconds. Thus, thehead can be parked in a safe position well before the fall is completed.

[0044]FIG. 5 is a top-down view of hard disk drive showing actuator 104and magnetic read/write head 106 in an operating position. A safe parkedposition 126 is indicated by broken lines. Data storage device 103, suchas a hard disc drive is operatively coupled to system electronics 112(not shown). In response to commands from system electronics 112, datastorage device 103 moves actuator 104 and magnetic read/write head 106rapidly sideways in a plane approximately parallel to the disk 102between its operating position and a parked position, which isillustratively depicted as safe position 126 in FIG. 5.

[0045]FIG. 6 is a side view of sensor 110 according to a preferredembodiment of the present invention. In this Figure, sensor 110 is shownat rest in a gravitational field. In this embodiment, beam 230 is rigid.One end of beam 230 is inserted into insulating support material 238,while the other end is attached to mass 228. Mass 228 may be of anyshape, but preferably is spherical. According to one aspect of thepresent invention, insulating support material 238 is flexible andadheres to electrically conductive beam connection 218, which is alsoflexible. Illustratively, insulating non-electrically conductive supportmaterial 238 is a semi-rigid or flexible material such as rubber.

[0046] When at acceleration sensor 110 is at rest, gravitational forcepulls free end, including mass 228, of rigid electrically conductivebeam 230 into contact with electrically conductive casing 232. Whentilted by a gravitational force, rigid beam 230 deforms insulatingsupport material 238 as shown. In an exemplary embodiment according toone aspect of the invention, beam 230 and support material 238 may bothbe flexible.

[0047]FIG. 7 illustratively shows sensor 210 during free fall, a periodof minimal gravitational acceleration. During free fall, minimalgravitational acceleration and the restoring forces in deformedinsulating support material 238 cause mass 228 to break contact withcasing 232 and to return approximately to a position delineated byhorizontal axis 227.

[0048]FIG. 7 shows an illustrative embodiment of the present inventionin which beam 230 is formed of a rigid, electrically conductivematerial. In this embodiment, rigid beam 230 is capable of movingbetween an at-rest position and a free-fall position. Preferably, rigidbeam 230 is supported at one end by a semi-rigid or flexible,non-electrically conductive insulating support material 238.

[0049]FIGS. 8A-8D show various views of an acceleration sensor accordingto particular exemplary embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 8A isa cross-sectional side view of a gravitational acceleration sensor 110.In this illustrative embodiment, acceleration sensor 110 includes acasing 332, which rests on non-conducting insulating base 338, anelectrode 330, and a spherical mass 328. This embodiment, like otherspreviously described, acts as an electrical switch, closed when thesensor is at rest and open during free fall. In the at rest position,mass 328 contacts both beam 330 and casing 332. During free fall, mass328 does not contact beam 330 and case 332. The phrase “does not contactbeam 330 and case 332” further includes situations where: mass 328contacts casing 332 only; mass 328 contacts beam 330 only; or mass 328does not contact beam 330 or casing 332.

[0050] Non-conducting insulating base 338 may be formed of any suitableinsulating material known in the art. The insulating material may beeither fixed or semi-rigid. In a preferred embodiment, insulating base338 may be made as thick or as thin as practicable. Conducting innerelectrode 330 (hereinafter beam 330) is vertically positioned ininsulating base 338. According to an aspect of the present invention, atop portion of beam 330 juts out into internal cavity 312 of casing 332,while a middle portion passes through insulating base 338. A bottomportion of beam 330, (hereinafter first conducting pin 320) extends pastthe exterior of insulating base 338 and removably inserts into asubstrate such as a printed circuit board 324. Similarly, a secondconducting pin 322, vertically positioned substantially parallel to beam330, also extends past the exterior of insulating base 338 and removablyinserts or connects into a substrate such as a printed circuit board324. Electrically conductive traces 333 and 334 connect sensor 310 tosystem electronics 112 (not shown), which monitor sensor 310 and commanddata storage device 103 (not shown) to park the magnetic or optical headwhenever conducting ball 328 (hereinafter mass 328) breaks electricalcontact between beam 330 and casing 332.

[0051] According to an aspect of the present invention, beam 330,conducting pins 320 and 322, mass 328, and casing 332 are each made ofor carry electrically conductive materials. Examples of suchelectrically conductive materials include, but are not limited to:copper, brass, silver, gold, steel, and similar materials.

[0052] According to another aspect of the present invention, a bottomportion of the interior of casing 332 is angled to form an obliquesurface 314, which extends from a point approximately located athorizontal axis 307 down to insulating base 338 such that a ringed gap340 encircles beam 330. In a preferred embodiment, mass 328 is a sphereand gap 340 is not greater than the diameter of mass 328. Gap 340 has awidth sufficient that mass 328 contacts both casing 332 and beam 330simultaneously when sensor 110 is at rest, and a width sufficient thatinsulating base 338 insulates beam 330 from casing 332. Illustratively,oblique surface 314 angles downwards at approximately a 45 degree angleto channel mass 328 into electrical contact with beam 330 when mass 328is acted upon by a gravitational force. However, oblique surface 314 maybe sloped at almost any angle less than 90 degrees so long as itchannels mass 328 into electrical contact with beam 330. According toanother aspect of the invention, the interior and exterior surfaces ofcasing 332 are cylindrical, while the exterior of casing 332 may be ofany shape. Internal cavity 312 may be filled with an inert gas ornon-conducting liquid to prevent corrosion of beam 330, casing 332, andmass 328. As used herein “mass 328” means contactor.

[0053]FIG. 8B illustrates how sensor 310 operates in the absence of agravitational force. The unique oblique interior walls 314 permit themass 328 to break away from the beam 330 and/or casing 332 when theforce of gravity is reduced to zero by free fall of the device. An opencircuit between the beam 330 and casing 332, implying the absence of agravitational force, signals system electronics 112 (FIG. 1) to commandhard disk drive 103 (FIG. 1) to park magnetic data actuating head 106(FIG. 1) in a safe position 126 (FIG. 5).

[0054]FIG. 8C is a top-down view of gravitational sensor 310illustratively showing how oblique surface 314 holds mass 328 in contactwith beam 330 when sensor 310 is acted upon by a gravitational force. Inthis view, the top cover of sensor 310 has been removed.

[0055] The illustrative dimensions of sensor 310 and its components arenow described. According to an aspect of the present invention, thediameter of casing 332 is approximately 10 mm, the depth, approximately5 mm. The diameter of mass 328 measures approximately 2 mm, while thediameter of beam 330 measures approximately 2 mm. The diameter of theringed gap 340 of insulating material 338 surrounding beam 330 measuresapproximately 3 mm. It will be understood that these ranges are providedonly for purposes of illustration. The diameter of the sensor 310 andthe diameters of its components are free design parameters. The valuesshown or described are informative and exemplary only and should not beconstrued as limiting the invention in any way.

[0056]FIG. 8D shows a bottom view a gravitational sensor according to anaspect of the present invention. In this exemplary embodiment, firstconductive pin 320 is centrally mounted within insulating base 338.Illustratively, second conductive pin 322 may be positioned anywherewithin or without the circumference of insulating base 338 providedsecond conductive pin 322 does not electrically contact first conductivepin 320.

[0057] The foregoing description of a preferred embodiment of theinvention has been presented for purposes of illustration anddescription, and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit theinvention to the precise form disclosed. The description was selected tobest explain the principles of the invention and practical applicationof these principles to enable others skilled in the art to best utilizethe invention in various embodiments and in various modifications as aresuited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scopeof the invention not be limited by the specification, but be defined bythe claims set forth below.

1.-42. (Canceled)
 43. A portable electronic device, comprising: a datastorage device having data stored on a data storage medium; and anacceleration detector coupled to the data storage device to detect achange in an acceleration of the portable electronic device and toconfigure the data storage device from a first operating state into asecond operating state in response to the detection, wherein theacceleration detector includes a flexible non-electrically conductivesupport material, an electrically conductive casing coupled to theflexible non-electrically conductive support material, and a beam havinga first end and a second end supported by the flexible non-electricallyconductive support material.
 44. The portable electronic device of claim43, wherein the portable electronic device is a digital camera.
 45. Theportable electronic device of claim 43, wherein the portable electronicdevice is a musical playback device.
 46. The portable electronic deviceof claim 43, wherein the portable electronic device is a portablecomputer system.
 47. The portable electronic device of claim 43, furthercomprising system electronics coupled to the data storage device and theacceleration detector, wherein in response to the detection, the systemelectronics execute a predetermined process, which in part transformsthe data storage device from the first operating state into the secondoperating state.
 48. The portable electronic device of claim 47, whereinthe predetermined process, when executed, transforms the data storagedevice from the first operating state into the second operating state.49. The portable electronic device of claim 43, wherein during thesecond operating state, data stored in the data storage device isinaccessible.
 50. The portable electronic device of claim 43, whereinthe beam is rigid or flexible.
 51. The portable electronic device ofclaim 50, wherein the second end of the beam contacts the casing whenthe acceleration detector is at rest.
 52. The portable electronic deviceof claim 50, wherein the second end of the beam does not contact thecasing during free fall.
 53. The portable electronic device of claim 50,wherein the acceleration detector further comprises a mass attached tothe second end of the beam.
 54. The portable electronic device of claim53, wherein the mass contacts the casing when the acceleration detectoris at rest.
 55. The portable electronic device of claim 53, wherein themass does not contact the casing when the acceleration detector is atrest.
 56. The portable electronic device of claim 54, wherein the mass,the casing, and the beam are each electrically conductive.
 57. Theportable electronic device of claim 43, wherein the casing is closed atboth ends and filled with an inert gas or non-electrically conductiveliquid.
 58. The portable electronic device of claim 50, furthercomprising means to couple the acceleration detector to a substrate. 59.The portable electronic device of claim 58, wherein the means is one ofat least one lead or one conductive pin.
 60. A method performed by aportable electronic device, the method comprising: detecting a change inan acceleration of the portable electronic device using an accelerationdetector disposed within the portable electronic device; and executing apredetermined process in response to the detection, wherein theacceleration detector includes a flexible non-electrically conductivesupport material, an electrically conductive casing coupled to theflexible non-electrically conductive support material, and a beam havinga first end and a second end supported by the flexible non-electricallyconductive support material.
 61. The method of claim 60, furthercomprising transforming a data storage device of the portable electronicdevice from a first operating state into a second operating state inresponse to the detection.
 62. The method of claim 60, wherein theportable electronic device is a digital camera.
 63. The method of claim60, wherein the portable electronic device is a musical playback device.64. The method of claim 60, wherein the portable electronic device is aportable computer system.
 65. The method of claim 60, wherein the beamis rigid or flexible.
 66. The method of claim 65, wherein the second endof the beam contacts the casing when the acceleration detector is atrest.
 67. The method of claim 65, wherein the second end of the beamdoes not contact the casing during free fall.
 68. The method of claim65, wherein the acceleration detector further comprises a mass attachedto the second end of the beam.
 69. The method of claim 68, wherein themass contacts the casing when the acceleration detector is at rest. 70.The method of claim 68, wherein the mass does not contact the casingwhen the acceleration detector is at rest.
 71. The method of claim 69,wherein the mass, the casing, and the beam are each electricallyconductive.
 72. The method of claim 60, wherein the casing is closed atboth ends and filled with an inert gas or non-electrically conductiveliquid.
 73. The method of claim 65, further comprising means to couplethe acceleration detector to a substrate.
 74. The method of claim 73,wherein the means is one of at least one lead or one conductive pin. 75.A data processing system, comprising: a data storage device having datastored on a data storage medium; and an acceleration detector coupled tothe data storage device to detect a change in an acceleration of theportable electronic device and to configure the data storage device froma first operating state into a second operating state in response to thedetection, wherein the acceleration detector includes a flexiblenon-electrically conductive support material, an electrically conductivecasing coupled to the flexible non-electrically conductive supportmaterial, and a beam having a first end and a second end supported bythe flexible non-electrically conductive support material.
 76. Aportable electronic device, comprising: a data storage device havingdata stored on a data storage medium; and an acceleration detectorcoupled to the data storage device to detect a change in an accelerationof the portable electronic device and to configure the data storagedevice from a first operating state into a second operating state inresponse to the detection, wherein the acceleration detector includes aswitch member having a first position and a second position, and whereinthe switch member is switched from the first position to the secondposition when the change in the acceleration is detected.
 77. Theportable electronic device of claim 76, wherein the portable electronicdevice is a digital camera.
 78. The portable electronic device of claim76, wherein the portable electronic device is a musical playback device.79. The portable electronic device of claim 76, wherein the portableelectronic device is a portable computer system.
 80. The portableelectronic device of claim 76, further comprising system electronicscoupled to the data storage device and the acceleration detector,wherein in response to the detection, the system electronics execute apredetermined process.
 81. The portable electronic device of claim 80,wherein the predetermined process, when executed, transforms the datastorage device from the first operating state into the second operatingstate.
 82. The portable electronic device of claim 76, wherein duringthe second operating state, data stored in the data storage device isinaccessible.
 83. A method performed by a portable electronic device,the method comprising: detecting a change in an acceleration of theportable electronic device using an acceleration detector disposedwithin the portable electronic device; and executing a predeterminedprocess in response to the detection, wherein the acceleration detectorincludes a switch member having a first position and a second position,and wherein the switch member is switched from the first position to thesecond position when the change in the acceleration is detected.
 84. Themethod of claim 83, further comprising transforming a data storagedevice of the portable electronic device from a first operating stateinto a second operating state in response to the detection.
 85. Themethod of claim 83, wherein the portable electronic device is a digitalcamera.
 86. The method of claim 83, wherein the portable electronicdevice is a musical playback device.
 87. The method of claim 83, whereinthe portable electronic device is a portable computer system.